JANUS IS A TWO-HEADED GOD
Author: Susanne Marie Knight
Genre: Science Fiction
Romance
Price: $3.99
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Blurb:
Year:
2452. Seeking a cure for her ill brother, Sophia (Sam) McLaren must leave Earth
to journey into the unknown. She finds galactic intrigue... plus a love
transcending the vast expanse of space. But can she persuade JorVaal 5 that
love can be forever?
JorVaal 5 Lanquist has a galactic catastrophe on his
hands¾plus a headstrong female
from the despised planet Earth. Will he be able to set aside age-old prejudices
and admit he’s actually feeling an ancient emotion called love?
Scene Set-Up:
Newly arrived on the strange
world of Xaspaar, Sophia hurries to meet her friend Fredd for lunch. The
planet’s leader, JorVaal 5, who dislikes Earthers, isn’t aware of Sophia’s
origin, and believes she agreed to meet him for a sexual encounter.
Excerpt:
Sam
hurried down the shiny grey corridor as fast as she could. She tried not to
stand out in the crowd, which was pretty hard to do with a Yankees’ cap sitting
squarely on her head. While all the people passing her did have a spring to
their step, evidently running was something that just wasn’t done. But she had
to hurry; she was that late. It was really impolite to keep Fredd waiting.
She
concentrated on keeping one foot in front of the other and refused to be
distracted by the strange sights around her. Deep breaths fueled her motion.
After leaving the Health Bureau, she’d gotten lost, of course. No surprise
there. All these tunnels looked the same. All dim, sleek, and impersonal. And
no windows. In fact, ever since arriving, she hadn’t had a glimpse of the
outside.
Creepy.
She
scratched her upper arm and kept her vision focused straight ahead. How could
these people stand being sequestered away like this? Like worms. Even the
Health Bureau where Mart was having tests done was windowless--no rooms with a
view, no peepholes, nothing. She’d never experienced claustrophobia but if she
didn’t get a chance to see at least some sky, she’d go nuts. This was like
being buried alive.
Her
heart thudded to keep up with her activity. Wiping away perspiration from her
upper lip, she adjusted her cap once again. Central Control was supposed to be
up ahead. Only a few more steps.
Without
warning, a man stepped right in front of her. “Citizen... dear one, no need to
continue your travels. Here I am.”
Unfortunately,
her own personal brakes weren’t as effective as her reliable bicycle brakes
back home. She bumped into whoever was foolish enough to block her way.
But
circumstances demanded that she
apologize. “Excuse me--”
Oh,
good heavens! It was him; it was JorVaal 5 Lanquist. Of all people to literally
run into!
As
she caught her breath, she had a chance to look him over. His athletic physique
was again enhanced in the form-fitted GCC uniform. When he folded his arms
across his massive chest, each movement rippled the velvet-like material of his
shirt. Powerful thigh muscles bulged from the close-weave fabric of his pants.
Heavens,
the man was impressive, all right. And just as handsome as she remembered.
But
definitely not safe.
She
took a good step back from him. “I, um, I do beg your pardon.” Her upper lip,
previously wiped, now beaded up again with perspiration.
“No
need, dear one.” He smiled and took her elbow. “I do not hold your tardiness
against you. Come, we still have eighty-five point four minutes to the
interval.”
His
firm touch sent tingling sensations throughout her entire body. Pleasurable and
alarming. But she could be firm as well. With her other hand, she
disengaged her arm.
“I’m
late, that’s true. But my appointment is with Fredd Desilva, not you. If you
will excuse me.”
Ignoring
the passersby’s curious appraisals and JorVaal’s surprised expression, she
turned away intending to continue walking.
But
he had other ideas. He gripped her upper arm, effectively stopping her
movements and her blood supply.
“You
are Fredd’s friend?”
She
tilted her head at JorVaal. “Yes. Is that so odd?”
Lines
of concentration marred his high forehead. “You cannot mean you prefer to be
with him over me.”
His
words were a statement, not a question. Of course it would have been terribly
rude to laugh at his conceit, but his affronted expression sorely taxed her.
She
sucked in her cheeks instead. “He’s my friend, and actually, to be perfectly
frank, you and I haven’t even been introduced.”
He
must have been aware that standing still in the middle of the corridor was
attracting attention, although maybe he was used to people staring at him.
Releasing her, he gestured for her to follow him.
As
the direction was the same as Central Control, she complied.
“Explain
to me why being acquainted has anything to do with satisfying biological
appetites,” he demanded.
She
glanced away to hide her smirk. Biological appetites! Another way to phrase
making love.
Her
mirth now under control, she looked him in the eye. “For one thing, knowing the
person you’re eating with increases the chance to have a more stimulating conversation.”
He
mulled over her words. “Yes, that is true. So you go to dine with Fredd. That
is good, however, I was referring to coitus.”
She
felt herself flush; she couldn’t help it. Who was used to plain speaking about
such a private topic? Certainly not her. And certainly not with an extremely
attractive man no matter what his opinion of himself was.
She
twisted her top button open. “Um, I would have to say the same thing, then. The
better you know a person, the better the, um, relationship.”
Goodness,
did these people talk about everything so openly?
Thankfully,
she spotted the doors for Central Control. Now she could escape! “Well, I have
to go. Bye.”
JorVaal
blocked her way again. With his size, he was good at that.
Resigned,
she sighed. “Now what?”
His
pale blue eyes seemed to pierce a hole in her. “As I am in need of release, I
shall accommodate you in this formal fashion.” He inclined his head. “I am
JorVaal 5 Lanquist.”
His
silent “as if you didn’t know” hung heavily in the air. “And now,” he
continued, “tell Fredd you will dine with him after we are finished.”
The
nerve of the man! The laughter that she had been able to suppress before, now
came tumbling out. JorVaal’s steely glare quickly silenced her.
With
her lips quivering, she managed to say, “But you don’t know who I am, do you?”
Of
course he didn’t. She’d heard of JorVaal’s distaste for “Earthers.” She’d bet a
cool million once he found out who she was, he’d treat her like she had the
plague.
“Inform
me, then. This game grows tedious.”
“You’re
so right. It does,” she agreed. “I am Sam McLaren. Pleased to meet you.”
She
held out her hand for him to shake.
After
a second, he gripped it with his. “McLaren?” His deep voice held a note of
uncertainty.
Heaven
help her but she couldn’t resist. “Yes, perhaps you’ve heard of me? Sophia
Audrey McLaren. My brother Mart and I just arrived from Earth.” She gave him a
wide grin. “Nice little planet you have here, JorVaal.”
His
sallow complexion turned ghastly white and his jaw noticeably dropped.
As
she neared the glass doors, they swished open. “Well, it’s been fun talking
with you. See you around.”
It
was only when the doors closed, that she allowed herself to laugh again. If she
lived to be two hundred, she’d never forget the look of pure outrage on the
man’s face!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hope you enjoy!
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the
box: award-winning Romance Writing With A Twist
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